A peek into the future of the Meadowlands

Jeff Gural and the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association are sharing artist renderings of what could be the new Meadowlands Racetrack.

“Phase one of this process is coming to a close,” said Gural, who is leading the group to lease and revitalize the Meadowlands. “We've coalesced on a design for a new grandstand. We're working now on what it will cost to operate these new facilities [including an Off Track Wagering facility in Bayonne]. And we have meetings with potential investors scheduled for next week.”

David Climans of the Toronto-based Climans Green Liang Architects Inc. presented the renderings which Gural and the SBOANJ wanted to share with the public. Gural and the SBOANJ received the renderings Thursday night. They also received plans for an off-track wagering facility in Bayonne, which have been scaled down from previous plans, but still would include about 5,000 square feet.

“We are elated that we are moving in this direction and see a light at the end of tunnel,” said Tom Luchento, president of the SBOANJ. “There has been a lot of work to reach this point, and we are optimistic that we are on the right path.”

The proposed grandstand would be approximately 155,000 square feet and replace the current plant which opened September 1, 1976.